Matthew 24:3, commentary and pictures

On the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple after foretelling its destruction, the disciples came to Jesus privately to ask when the overthrow would happen and what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world.
They connected that overthrow with His personal return in temporal glory to punish the Jews, free the nation from Rome, and set up a kingdom centered in Jerusalem, not yet grasping the distinction between the two events.
He answered them with the great discourse of Matthew 24 and 25, joining the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming in one mingled prophecy because Jerusalem represents the world, so that its fall foreshadows the terrors of the last great day.
He surveyed the events between His first and second advents and gave signs by which His coming may be known to be near, including deception by false christs, wars, persecution, abounding lawlessness, the gospel preached to all nations, the darkening of the sun and moon and falling of the stars after the long tribulation, and calamities and upheaval in nature and society, with His own coming unmistakable and visible like lightning and as in Noah's days.
Those prophecies are to be studied again and again as the foundation of faith, and believed with a watchful, sanctified readiness, discerning the rapidly fulfilling signs, proclaiming the last warning, and awaiting Him as wise servants and virgins rather than sleeping in lethargy and division.

Setting and Question

He sat privately with the disciples on the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple and overlooking Jerusalem and its temple. This was after He had foretold the temple's destruction and after His final departure from the temple following His denunciation of the Jewish rulers, two days before the Passover. It was shortly before He entered Gethsemane, after a weary day of work when the Pharisees had pressed Him with questions in hopes of condemning Him. There on the mount He received their private inquiry.

They asked when the predicted overthrow of the temple would occur. They asked what would be the sign of His coming and of the end of the world. Their question sought when the events He had spoken of would happen and what signs would mark them, introducing His warnings about deception, persecution, betrayal, false prophets, wars and disasters, increasing lawlessness and love grown cold. It introduces His teaching that the worldwide preaching of the gospel as a witness to all nations comes before the end, that these are the beginning of sorrows calling for vigilance and endurance, and that signs are given by which followers may know His coming is near even though no one knows its exact day or hour but the Father only.

His answer is the discourse in Matthew 24 and 25, describing His second coming to the world. Matthew 24 gives in outline what is to come upon the world, and the great prophecy in brief covers the whole present dispensation to the complete restitution of all things. It follows the church in warfare and suffering to promised redemption, to the final triumph of God's people, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, the total extirpation of evil, and the renovation of the earth as the everlasting inheritance of the saints. It portrays the condition of the church at His coming, with the sign of the Son of man in heaven, all tribes mourning, His coming in the clouds with power and great glory, angels with a trumpet gathering the elect, warning to watch and be ready as in Noah's days, and the distinction of the faithful and wise servant found giving meat in due season and made ruler over all goods from the evil servant who says his lord delays and is cut asunder with hypocrites.

Disciples' Temporal Expectations

The question joins the overthrow of Jerusalem to Christ's personal return in temporal glory. It expects Him to take the throne of universal empire and to punish the impenitent Jews who rejected Him. It expects Him to bring down the temple, to free the nation from Roman rule, and to establish a temporal kingdom centered in Jerusalem.

The distinction between the two events could not yet be grasped, nor could Jerusalem's terrible future be understood. A full view could not have been borne, so they were left to study the meaning. Its instruction would be unfolded as His people needed it.

Joined Prophetic Answer

In answer the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of coming and final judgment were joined in one mingled prophetic description rather than treated separately. Jerusalem represents the world, so words spoken about Jerusalem reach beyond that event to the final punishment and destruction of the world by fire and to the last scenes of earth's history. The prophecy therefore has two meanings, with the fall of Jerusalem foreshadowing the terrors of the last great day, and Jerusalem's destruction serving as a type of that final destruction. The interweaving was because the distinction could not yet be grasped and a full view could not have been borne or endured, so the meaning was left to be studied and unfolded as needed. The warning given about what would be met at the hands of fellow men was thus for later followers also, and for those living in the last scenes, including the call to flee when the abomination of desolation stands in the holy place and to pray that flight be not on the Sabbath, since the creation Sabbath remained to be observed after the crucifixion.

The answer surveys important events in the history of the world and the church between the first and second advents. It outlines the destruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation of the church under pagan and papal persecution, and what the people would suffer from the time of His taking away until His return in power and glory in persecution, humiliation, reproach and suffering along the Master's path. It then places the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, and then speaks of His coming in His kingdom. Retribution on the apostate nation would come before that return, as shown by its continued hostility in mistreating His followers.

Signs were given by which followers may know when the coming is near, even though no one knows its exact day or hour but the Father only. The coming described is with the sign of the Son of man appearing in heaven, with all tribes mourning as they see Him coming in the clouds with power and great glory to send His angels with a trumpet to gather the elect. It shall be as in the days of Noah, when they ate and drank and knew not until the flood took them away. Hence the warning to watch and be ready, because He comes in an hour not thought of.

The close portrays two classes awaiting Him and the condition of the church at His coming, arousing earnest zeal in the true believer. The faithful and wise servant is found giving meat in due season and is made ruler over all goods, while the evil servant says his lord delays his coming and smites fellow servants and eats and drinks with the drunken, and is cut asunder with a portion with hypocrites with weeping and gnashing of teeth. The outline of what is to come upon the world belongs to the perils of the last days now present, and includes the parable of the fig tree whose branching leaves show summer is nigh, so when all these things are seen the coming is nigh even at the doors, with this generation not passing till all be fulfilled, and heaven and earth passing away but His words not passing away. The discourse makes clear kingdom truths connected with the second coming by parables, including the parable of the ten virgins spoken on the Mount opposite the temple. Its setting is at evening on the Olives by a glowing wedding house while guests await the bridal procession, illustrating the evening custom in which the bridegroom goes to meet the bride and brings her home with a torchlight procession to a feast.

Signs Christ Foretold

The question about the sign of coming and end is answered first by warnings of deception, persecution and moral decay preceding that time, including false christs and false prophets, wars and disasters, betrayal, lawlessness with love growing cold, and abundant iniquity. Deception will increase near the end, with false claimants performing great signs and asserting His presence in a particular place or hidden chamber, which followers must not believe. The gospel must be preached worldwide as a witness to all nations before the end comes, and these preceding troubles are the beginning of sorrows calling for vigilance and endurance. His coming itself will not be secret or localized but unmistakable and visible like lightning across the sky.

The cosmic signs are the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, placed immediately after the tribulation of those days. That tribulation is the 1260-year tribulation upon the church from 538 to 1798, understood as ceasing before the dark day of 1780, so that the supernatural darkening falls in the eighteenth century. After the tribulation means after the tribulation ceased, not after the days ended, for the days were shortened for the elect's sake. Like the fig tree whose budding branch and leaves show summer is nigh, when all these things are seen His coming is nigh even at the doors. This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled, and heaven and earth shall pass away but His words shall not pass away. The destruction of Jerusalem is not the second advent, which is the second coming in glory to warn the world of approaching doom.

Earthquakes, volcanoes, fiery issues from the earth, and loud explosions sounding like muffled thunder are signs of that coming and end. They are produced when coal and oil are ignited and burned, rocks intensely heated, limestone burned, iron ore melted, and water and fire meet under the surface, with water upon limestone adding fury to the heat and fire and water upon ledges of rock and ore causing explosions. Just before He comes these exhibitions will be more numerous and more terrible as signs of speedy destruction. Storms, fires, floods, and calamities at sea and on land following one another are signs whose true cause is unrecognized, sweeping away the most costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven. Angels still hold back the destructive forces represented by the four winds until His servants are sealed, after whose release severe strife will follow. When these awful calamities bring serious thought and trembling fear upon sinners, literature explaining their meaning is to be wisely circulated with telling effect.

The signs already fulfilling include the rapid growth of trades-unions whose members are determined to have their own way and count violence and death as nothing when opposed, contention among professed believers who do not live the truth, God's judgments in the land, wars and rumors of wars, and destruction by fire and flood. These declare that the time of trouble which is to increase until the end is already in the world, calling for zealous repentance and preparation to meet God. Increasing wickedness shows the world becoming as in the days of Noah, and present violence and wickedness recall the old world cleansed by the flood. Wars and conflict among angry nations, with the arrival of the time when the dead are judged, show the end near amid stormy times, making the time precious for giving the warning without delay. Lawmaking efforts to exalt Sunday belong among the signs of the times.

The great events connected with the second coming and the end were shown in prophetic vision to Enoch. From the Mount of Olives the prophetic view reached forward across time to the last days and to the actions of both saints and sinners then living. Tears were shed for the people of those days, including those who dismiss earnest witness and warnings as fanaticism or enthusiasm.

Fulfillment Shows Nearness

The signs asked for as marking the coming and the end are rapidly being fulfilled and taking place as predicted in the last days of earth's history. Their unmistakable fulfillment proves the world lives in the very last days, with the last conflict of this earth's history now present, the closing scenes near, and the end near and right upon us. The time is precious, for stormy times still lie ahead and great trials to test every soul are yet to come.

The signs are too plain to be doubted, and their plainness proves the scenes of this earth's history are fast closing amid the perils of the last days with greater perils ahead. Yet they have become so common they are scarcely considered, and supposed wise and great men occupied with higher education from finite men, together with professed believers, fail to recognize them. Therefore God's people must take warning and discern the signs of the times, know the day of visitation and what they are to experience before the end, and have a vivid sense of the times amid present divine forbearance while angels hold the winds.

The instruction foretelling the signs of the times was given to the disciples in order to reach those who should afterward believe, to instruct later believers and help them prepare for the great conflict, declaring His coming near. Faithful watchmen must follow the prophecies as they are fulfilled and watch and wait actively rather than remain idle. By recognizing world events in their light they will not be surprised or unready when He appears in the clouds, refusing to ignore them or to assume peace and safety but staying watchful and spiritually prepared.

Study Warning and Readiness

The prophecies that answer the question of the sign of coming and of the end are to be studied again and again and brought before both believers and unbelievers as the foundation of faith that decides eternal destiny. They are to be studied together with Daniel and Revelation and with Christ as the Lamb who takes away sin, with each truth given its proper place in prophetic history including the first, second, and third angels' messages and the time of the end. As the Jews misread Moses, Isaiah, Daniel and the other prophets and missed the time and manner of the first appearing, so many now miss the signs of the second coming because they put those messages still in the future and do not see and understand the time of the end, while the day of God comes with stealthy tread unknown to supposed wise and great men occupied with higher education from finite men. The signs now fulfilling need to be made known through books containing present truth, including Daniel and Revelation, The Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and The Desire of Ages, carried by workers entering the canvassing field.

Ministers, teachers, and householders are to present and explain them and leave matters of lesser consequence. The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew gives the outline of what is to come upon the world belonging to the perils of the last days now present, and it requires warning those perishing in sin that the end is near and using entrusted means to advance the last message of mercy instead of spending for self-gratification. Like the fig tree whose branching leaves show summer is nigh, when all these things are seen coming is nigh even at the doors, this generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled, and heaven and earth shall pass away but those words shall not pass away. Watch is commanded because the hour is unknown, and readiness because the Son of man comes in an hour not thought of, with blessing on the faithful and wise servant found giving meat in due season who will be made ruler over all goods, and cutting asunder with hypocrites, weeping and gnashing of teeth, for the evil servant who says his lord delays and smites fellow servants and eats and drinks with the drunken. Impenitent cities face judgment when they reject reproof and warnings, as Jerusalem's destruction fulfilled the warning despite massive stones that seemed certain to last. Householders are to prepare the way for the second advent by helping in every possible way those for whom life was given, cooperating in healing the perverted springs of life and setting them flowing in sanctified channels through the blending of divinity with humanity, carrying truth-filled books, wisely circulating literature on the meaning of calamities, and laboring earnestly until the work is finished.

Preaching those signs is solemn work bringing deep solemnity, holding even unbelievers attentive with increasing and deepening interest. Showing the connected chain of prophecy literally fulfilled in the rise and fall of kingdoms and in the signs of the times gives tangibility to faith and deeply impresses students of prophecy. Contrary to popular error, coming will not be invisibly as a thief to remove saints unknown, followed by descent to old Jerusalem with a later chance to repent and be saved. Genuine faith in soon coming in power and great glory must show in sanctified life and character through the sanctification of the gospel, not mere profession, with works proving believers are only sojourners seeking a heavenly country. Resources are to be used to bring truth and save souls rather than spent lavishly on buildings soon consumed in the great conflagration, in view of a greater destruction near at hand when earth's history is swallowed up in endless eternity. The creation Sabbath remains binding after the cross, so that flight from the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place is still to be prayed not to be on the Sabbath, and Jerusalem's destruction serves as a type of the world's final destruction by fire. There is to be no dissension and strife, criticizing and condemning one another or sitting in judgment upon brethren, for that work Christ alone can do. Commandment-keeping people must be sharp, discerning, and spiritually sharp-minded, taking no worldly policy as policy or principle, making no confederacy with worldly men or with worldly-converted church members and plans, trusting only the obedient in covenant relation, looking to God alone for strength and power, and ministering in sacred service to preach the Word and prepare the Lord's way as John did.

All are called to awake from lethargy, inactivity, death-stupor, jealousy, fault-finding, division, and time wasted settling little differences, with everyone professing truth to be a living preacher reaching a higher standard and carrying mercy and warning to awaken the world from death. They must be zealous in repentance and prepare to meet God, ready and waiting with growing faith as signs fulfill, preparing to meet in peace and being saved through merits and the Holy Spirit through prayer, consecrating fully and seeking before too late to meet the Saviour with joy when He appears in glory, keeping judgment before the people, for each will receive according to works at appearing in the kingdom. The fulfilling signs include rapid growth of trades-unions determined to have their own way and counting violence and death as nothing, contention among professed believers who do not live the truth, judgments in the land, wars and rumors of wars, destruction by fire and flood, and increasing wickedness as in Noah's days, declaring the time of trouble already in the world and increasing to the end with greater perils and final conflict ripening ahead. As the Spirit's restraining influence is withdrawn and conditions reveal the signs, the unsettled state and upheaval of nations prompt honest souls troubled about the end to ask what will be the end of all these things, an inquiry moved by angels upon hearts and consciences. That inquiry calls for alert, earnest work to bring truth and salvation, hiding with Christ those who humble themselves and fix eyes on God so they will appear with Him in glory. The signs declaring coming near are connected with the third angel's message as the last warning to be proclaimed before the Son of man is revealed, then sounding for nearly forty years, urging learning what the mark of the beast is and how to avoid receiving it.